LONDON, October 22 /PRNewswire/ -- BP Castrol tanker drivers, working for Wincanton, are poised to take industrial action from midnight tonight, Wednesday, October 22nd until midnight on Thursday, October 23rd. The stoppage will bring the distribution of famous brands such as GTX and Magnatec to a halt nationwide.

The 46 drivers, all members of Unite, are based at two sites in Ellesmere Port and Hyde, supplying oil to eight locations across the UK. The workers, who deliver to shipping, power stations, garages, bus and train depots, voted by an overwhelming majority to take action following the dismissal of a colleague for alleged use of a hand held mobile phone while driving a forty-tonne articulated vehicle.

The alleged incidence took place at the plant in March this year. Since then, the drivers and their union have been pressing the company to either take the appropriate disciplinary procedures or to come clean about the real reason why their colleague has been dismissed.

According to Unite officer Tommy Kirwan, workers are concerned that there could be an ulterior motive for the dismissal: We all agree that safety at work is paramount and if colleagues put this at risk, then they should face the consequences. However, we are very concerned about what we perceive as a change in culture from one of help and support to one of blame and dismiss.

Unite does not accept that there is any substance whatsoever in the allegations made against this colleague. In fact, we question absolutely the physical possibility of either this worker using his mobile while driving or being seen using the mobile while driving, and as his phone records show, no calls were made or received on that day.

A series of stoppages is now scheduled over the coming weeks after talks at ACAS to resolve the dispute failed to reach any agreement. The next stoppage is scheduled for October 30th, 2008.

For further information contact Karen Viquerat on +44-(0)7768931-316